Medical and eyesight requirements for seafarers

You need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards if you are applying for or renewing a certificate of competency or proficiency, or if you want to use your ring-fenced certificate.

On this page:

Requirements for ring-fenced certificates

If you’re one of the seafarers who ring-fenced their ticket(s), you will also need a medical certificate to keep working. The medical certificate will be due two years from the date your verification card was issued. You will get a reminder from MNZ before it's due.

When it’s time, here’s what you need to do:

1Go to a registered GP Medical examinations for ring-fenced certificates can be conducted by any New Zealand registered GP.Search a list of registered GPs.

4The GP will assign you a medical category. You need an A, A(T) or B to continue using your ticket.

5Keep the medical certificate. You need a copy with you when you are working on a ship as evidence of your fitness and any conditions.

It’s that simple

Requirements for national certificates

To apply for or renew a national certificate of competency or proficiency, you need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards. For national certificates any GP can conduct a medical examination.

Requirements for STCW or STCW-F certificates

To apply for or renew an STCW or STCW-F certificate of competency or proficiency, you need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards. For an STCW or STCW-F certificate the medical examination must be conducted by an approved medical practitioner.